Definition
Camouflaging is the broader term for hiding neurodivergent characteristics in social contexts. It encompasses masking, compensation (developing alternative strategies), and assimilation (adopting neurotypical behaviors).
Why It Matters
In a 2017 study of 92 autistic adults, Dr. Laura Hull and colleagues found that camouflaging was motivated by fitting in and connecting with others, and that its consequences included exhaustion and threats to self-perception. A 2021 systematic review found that higher self-reported camouflaging is associated with worse mental health, and that camouflaging differs by sex and gender, which may help explain later diagnosis for some.
Common Misconception
Camouflaging is not the same as social skill development. Developing a genuine skill is different from suppressing your natural way of being to appear neurotypical.